Humane Society Hosts Annual Santa Paws Holiday Fundraiser
by James Coulter
They say there’s no place like home for the holidays. That’s especially true for fur babies who have been adopted into their forever home thanks to the Humane Society of Polk County.
The Humane Society celebrated its annual holiday fundraiser Santa Paws at Jensen’s Corner Bar in Downtown Winter Haven on Tuesday evening.
The fundraiser provided attendees with fun and festivities to help usher in the holiday season by wining and chatting with fellow guests, listening to live music by KeySoundSoul, eating appetizers by Arabella’s, and sipping cocktails prepared by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Attendees could also participate in raffles and silent auctions for countless prizes donated by local businesses.
The Humane Society has been hosting this fundraiser for the past seven years or so, explained its new president Mark Turner. This year’s event received a good turnout, especially with it being his first year overseeing it as president.
“I think it has gotten better with age,” he said. “The turnout tonight was as good as I have seen in many years. I am happy with the turnout. It is a great fundraiser, a great cause. It helps us accomplish our mission and people love to come out and get into the holiday spirit by listening to some good music and eating some good food.”
Melanie Brown Culpepper is a philanthropist who has participated in many local causes, including her non-profit organization, Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, which donates and installs AEDs across Polk County.
Melanie has remained close friends with Tracey Greene, one of the many members and supporters of the Humane Society. As such, she enjoys being able to participate in Santa Paws.
This year, she was tickled pink to see so many guests lining up for the event long before they opened their doors that evening, she said.
“I love how the community all comes together that supports us,” she said. “Tracey goes above and beyond with so many events throughout the year for the Humane Society. So, it is one of those good things and we love to do it around Christmas time.”
Proceeds from the holiday event will go toward the operating funds for the Humane Society of Polk County’s only no-kill animal shelter. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.humanesocietyofpolkcounty.org/
